When dad visited the USA on business in 1993, my mum, sister and I were fortunate enough to head to California to meet him. When greeting us at the airport, he slapped a blue Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap on my head and I’ve been a fan ever since.
I was seven at the time.
I’m now 26.
Can you believe it’s taken me almost two decades to see Dodger Stadium? Admittedly I haven’t had many opportunities, but it’s certainly something that was a ‘must’ this time around.
When season 2011 started back in April, I was following my Dodgers with an interest that was far more intense than usual. If they could make the playoffs, I’d be able to see them play while I was here. Sadly for me (and the city of Los Angeles), they pretty much stunk and were out of contention by mid August.
Despite this, I had to go on my pilgrimage to Dodger Stadium to gain a greater understanding and perspective of this historic American sporting venue.
Dodger Stadium is situated in Chavez Ravine, just north-east of downtown LA. For some reason I thought it was much further from the city, but was pleasantly surprised.
A hop, skip and a jump from central LA
A view of downtown LA as the road snakes its way to the upper deck
Although located in the ‘ravine’ the stadium is actually built into a hill. This is done for two reasons;
1) Earthquake-proofing
2) By designing the stadium in this way, fans can get to their seats with ease, regardless of whether they’re in a ground level field box or the upper deck nosebleeds. There are multiple entrances and car parks as the road winds around the stadium, each corresponding with a number on your game ticket. Think of the road as an ‘elevator’ that allows you to stop at your desired point.
Outside the main gates at the bottom of the hill
It’s soon obvious that you’re in Dodgertown USA
It was a turbulent year for Dodger fans and many local businesses
made their feelings on the ownership very clear
Don’t complain about MCG parking prices again
After making my way up the winding road to the upper level, I met a friend and walked through the open gates.
I usually wouldn’t be this excited about striding into an empty stadium in the off-season, but I couldn’t believe that I was at the place I’d seen on TV and in video games countless times throughout the years. It’s a fabled and iconic venue throughout all of America, not just Los Angeles.
My first ever view of Dodger Stadium will be with me forever
I moved around the upper deck like a kid on Christmas morning. We were a good half hour early for the tour, so I spent a while soaking up the atmosphere (of an empty stadium) and getting my head around the fact that I was at the home of one of my favourite sporting clubs.
My first impression was how good the cheapest seats in the stadium were. If I had the choice of paying $12 to sit here or $500 to sit in the Dugout Club, I know where I’d be. I can only imagine how lovely it would be to relax in the upper section of the stadium on a summer night as the sun sets and the Dodgers take the field. I’ll get back there one day for sure.
Ticketing prices for the season just gone
Once 10am rolled around, a couple more people had arrived, as well as our tour guide. There was a Japanese couple and young family of four from Detroit which meant a small and intimate tour group.
When handing over my $15 for a ticket, I said something along the lines of, “Man I feel dirty giving my money to Frank McCourt” (reference to team owner who has driven the club into the ground). I pulled my head in though. I didn’t want to be ‘that guy’ before the tour had even started!
We got the introductory spiel and a bit of history about the venue. Some of it I knew quite well while other parts were completely new and fascinating to me.
On top of the world
One of our first stops was the press box.
As someone who has studied journalism and worked in sports PR for a number of years, this was very interesting. Perhaps unsurprisingly, not a whole lot actually differed from most setups we have back in Australia.
There were three rows of labelled benches, a dining area at the back and adjacent areas for broadcast and scoreboard operations. It seems to be a tried and true formula at venues throughout the world.
The thing that struck me however was that it was an open-air media room. Yes, it was covered to shield from any (rare) wind or rain, but the lack of windows allowed you to get a sense of atmosphere, sound, emotion and feel for the life inside the stadium. I’d give my right arm to cover the Dodgers as a career, although you’d better take my left arm or my writing won’t be all that good.
Where Los Angeles’ baseball scribes praise or scorn the Dodgers
Anyone need someone to spend his life watching baseball?
The press box is named in honour of Vin Scully who is one of the world’s pre-eminent sports broadcasters.
Vin just called his SIXTY-SECOND SEASON of baseball and has just committed to a 63rd in 2012. He is an absolute treasure.
The room that bears the name of one of baseball’s most respected
Just making sure the lineup is right
The corridor outside the press box is adorned with images of famous Dodgers. From Jackie Robinson to Sandy Koufax and everyone in between. It’s a fantastic tribute and reminder of the guys who have made the club great.
Doing my best Kirk Gibson impression (watch the video here)
Gibson’s shot is baseball folklore.
Down 4-3 in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda called him up to pinch hit despite a banged up hamstring, sore knee and the lingering effects of a virus.
Dodgers’ advance scout Mel Didier claimed to know Oakland’s legendary closing pitcher Dennis Eckersley inside out.
The following plaque with his immortal words is displayed in the Dodgers clubhouse in the batting cage that Gibson used to warm up before that historic blast that would give LA a 5-4 win and eventually a World Series title.
Needless to say, Gibson got his backdoor slider on the 3-2 count
That 1988 World Series crown is on display in the Dugout Club
At this point of the tour we burst out of the doors and into the brilliant sunshine on the lower level of Dodger Stadium. These were el primo seats. The ones behind home plate that mean plenty of TV time and hobnobbing with movie stars and hedge fund managers.
The only drawback is viewing the game through the net!
On the hallowed dirt of Dodger Stadium
It was amazing surreal to be at ground level. The whole experience was unbelievable, but this in particular.
Everything is under control guys
GET BROXTON OUT OF THE GAME RIGHT NOW!
For those unfamiliar with procedures and processes in baseball, the manager is responsible for making pitching changes when he sees his guy fatiguing or when he wants to exploit a match-up. Pitchers don’t live in the dugout with the rest of the team. They live in the ‘bullpen’ – a separate area elsewhere in the stadium that allows them to throw and limber up.
When the manager wants to make a switch, he gets on the phone to communicate with his pitching coach. This is the actual phone used in the Dodgers dugout.
The home bullpen; where pitchers psyche up (or shit themselves)
“Is that Hogg? Yes! Yes, I believe the manager has made the call to
the bullpen and sent his Australian prospect out to pitch the ninth!”
It takes a special breed of player to be a pitcher
Believe it or not, the above photo is the area where the relieving pitchers watch the game. It is a ramshackle room underneath the left-field grandstand that must feel like a sauna during day games. It’s somewhat difficult to believe that a room in this condition exists in the Major Leagues.
The pitchers keep a tally of their wins on the wall inside the bullpen
They also record quotes from… I don’t even want to know
While walking from the clubhouse to the bullpen I said, “This is the exact same walk that Jonathon Broxton makes each night before he gets lit up.” That comment was met with a chuckle from the tour and a smirk from the tour leader who tried her best to stifle a laugh remain diplomatic.
Jerseys of ‘retired numbers’ adorn the clubhouse wall
A source of inspiration for current players
Just outside the clubhouse door and the long line of retired numbers from legendary players is a frame with nothing in it. This is designed to remind players that anyone can eventually reach a level that would result in them being considered among the truly elite. I thought it was a nice touch and something that the players pass each and every time they take to the field.
Is it too late to launch a Major League career at 26?
‘Reflecting’ on what could have been
Today was one of my favourite days on this trip so far.
I seem to be saying that EVERY day which is obviously a fantastic situation to be in.
Although I am yet to see my Dodgers in action, just having inside access to the stadium gave me a true feeling of the ballclub, the facilities, the local geography and only increased my desire to return for some on-field action soon. I’m still pinching myself that I was sitting in the Dodger dugout earlier today and roaming the bullpen!
It’s actually quite funny when I think about it.
This would be no big deal to many locals and those in the baseball industry – just like it would be no big deal for me to walk on the MCG or sit in the press box.
But when my favourite sports and one of my favourite teams in the world is almost 13,000km away, these experiences can be the most memorable.
